Elaine Joyce Turen

Elaine Turen died peacefully at the age of 96 in beautiful surroundings in Alamo, California. After 92 years as a resident of New Jersey, Elaine happily spent the last four years of her life surrounded by her family in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Elaine was born in Paterson, NJ in the same month as the stock market crash of 1929. Her childhood spanned the Great Depression and World War II, after which she was the first member of her household to attend college at Montclair State University (then Montclair State Teachers College). During her college years, she met the love of her life, her beloved Samuel Turen. Elaine and Sam were married in 1949 and enjoyed a uniquely special love affair until Sam’s passing in 1991. They raised their two daughters, Barbara and Elise, in West Orange, NJ, where Elaine remained an active member of the community throughout her adult life. They also enjoyed 15 years at a second home in Miami Beach, FL and extensive international travel.

After Elaine lost Sam in 1991, she enjoyed seven years of devoted companionship with lifetime family friend, Irwin Francis. Elaine and Irwin continued to enjoy winters in Florida and international cruises.

Her greatest joy was her family. When most of her friends were settling into retirement, Elaine remained active helping her daughter Barbara raise her son, Andrew Caplan. Elaine would often say that after raising her own children, Barbara and Elise, raising Andrew was the best thing she did with her life.

Elaine was an avid reader, baker, theater-goer, and follower of current events. She was a longtime member of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange, NJ, where her in-laws, Louis and Mollie Turen, were founding members.

Elaine is survived by her daughters, Barbara Turen and Elise Turen, grandchildren Andrew Caplan (Elise Viebeck) and Morgan Davis (Daniel Simon), great grandson Isaac Caplan, and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved sister Iris Bloom.

The family will be receiving guest at the Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039, on July 21, 2026, from 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm, followed by a funeral service at 1:00pm.

Burial to follow at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel Cemetery, 432 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042.